Marine Industries Global Market Analysis - Marine Institute

MARINE INDUSTRIES GLOBAL MARKET ANALYSIS
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A key need is to identify areas for R&D that results in both products and in
intellectual property development. In the main, the focus needs to be into
development of a small number of niche markets. Examples may include Marine IT,
Ocean Environmental Monitoring (sensors and data systems), Biotechnology,
Renewable Energy, etc.
It is essential to develop and maintain a knowledge base in the selected key areas by
means such as research fellowships, for example.
Marine IT may be particularly well suited to Ireland, but further research is needed to
identify specific medium-term opportunities.
A significant weakness is probably the low international awareness of Irish marine
activities. Ireland needs a maritime ‘brand’.This is particularly the case at sector
level. (Norway, for example, has very high brand recognition for its seafood in major
international markets such as the US.)
Above all, Ireland needs high visibility long-term government support of its marine
industries and marketing, both internally to raise awareness of marine opportunities
and externally to attract foreign key companies.
Once a strategy is developed it is essential to market it, both nationally and
internationally.